1.9 Harbinger Part 6

As cheers go up from her fellow fighters in the city, Guardian activates her KEPs only to realise that the majority of them are broken with the few remaining not enough to grant her flight capabilities.

Can we repair them? Using my power?

Not now. Not enough time. Armageddon would kill us while we’ve halfway through.

Dancore!

The cheers die down all of sudden as Armageddon begins to get up. Guardian darts away.

“Guardian,” says Gears over her comm.

The connection isn’t very good as damage to her armour has left it fuzzy and shaky with Gears’ voice containing some static to it.

“Here,” replies Guardian as she puts ground between her and the Harbinger.

“I’m here with Protector and Defender,” says Gears as another orange ray beam hits Armageddon, “Darkness has also shown up to help. I think seeing his twin sister get taken out motivated him to help.”

“Many have fallen today,” replies Guardian quietly and solemnly.

“Then let us make their sacrifices worth something,” says Gears with a determined voice.

“Try to take out his other eye,” Guardian tells Gears.

“Don’t worry, I will,” Gears assures Guardian.

Guardian glances at Armageddon as he gets to his feet. Whips of black and white energy lash out at the Harbinger, but Guardian doesn’t see the result before a building obscures Armageddon from view.

Guardian comes to a halt as she spots a pair of bodies in the ground.

Too late to save them.

We can’t save everybody...

But that doesn’t mean we should try to. I know. How do I know that anyway?

It is good advice that has been passed on.

Okay.

“Guardian!” yells Defender as she lands a short distance in front of her, “Over here!”

As Defender and Guardian runs towards each other, Protector lands behind the former.

“Nice work so far,” says Protector.

Both are wearing the same type of power armour as Guardian and Gears, but where Guardian is black and Gears’ is grey, Protector’s armour is a dark forest green whilst Defender is a deep shade of blue.

“My armour is no longer capable of flight,” Guardian informs them, “It has also sustained serious damage on the front.”

“Yeah, I can tell,” replies Defender, “So what do we do?”

“You two engage Armageddon while I conduct emergency repairs to my armour so I can get flight capabilities,” says Guardian, “Remember he is fast and intelligent in addition to being one of the toughest creatures out there.”

“We got it,” replies Protector as he shares a look with Defender, “You just keep safe. We can’t afford to lose you.”

Then it is rather ironic that I am the most expendable of the Guardsmen, both the least missed and the most easily replaced.

“We can’t afford to lose anybody,” says Defender.

“I have no intention of dying this day,” Guardian reassures them, “And I am not that easily killed. Not even by a Harbinger of the End Times.”

“See ya back at base later,” replies Defender as she and Protector off, “Take of yourself.”

“I-” Guardian starts to reply when Armageddon comes crashing through the building.

Protector and Defender both dart off as Guardian runs for it. She gets a few metres before the ground erupts and twists around her.

Dodge left!

Doing as Ceta says, Guardian jumps to the side. She is barely in time to dodge one of Armageddon’s energy attacks and still gets hit in the side of the right arm. The majority of her power armour is burned away on the outer side of her right arm and Guardian feels spikes of burning hot pain across the affected flesh.

As Guardian staggers to the side, something grabs a hold of her and her surroundings suddenly blur.

“I got you!” says a blurred voice as Guardian is sped away.

Guardian stumbles on her feet as her rescuer drops her off a couple of blocks away. A military tank retreats as several soldiers run alongside it on foot.

She looks around at the four people around her. Of them, Guardian only recognises Pathfinder. One is a good looking male wearing a red and white racing jumpsuit while the other is an Adonis in orange and black spandex. The last is another Bellator girl wearing armour made of ice. All seem rather young and Guardian would guess they are all in their teens.

Ice? How is that possible? And why isn’t it melting?

She must have created them using her power.

Like with the not-technology?

Yes. A variant of the power that allows for things that are physically impossible to be made.

“Hello Guardian,” says Pathfinder.

“Yeah, nice to meet you,” says the Adonis boy, “Good work against the kaiju.”

“His name is Armageddon,” replies Guardian as she looks at the damage to her right arm.

All of the armour except for a few scraps have been burned away while the flesh is blacken and raw.

“Well Guardian, I am Rush, speedster and leader of the Grand Rapids Junior Heroes,” says the boy in red and white, “That is Sulphur and Iceforge and you’ve already met Pathfinder.”

“So what is the plan?” asks the Adonis boy who Guardian assumes is Sulphur.

“We hit Armageddon while it is distracted and Guardian can hit it with that fancy sword of hers,” replies Pathfinder, “My power says that is the best course of action.”

“You can hurt it right?” Rush asks Guardian.

“Yes,” answers Guardian “I have already taken out one of his eyes and removed a little finger.”

“Glad to know we can hurt that thing,” growls Iceforge.

“Okay, so we-” starts Rush when Pathfinder cries out and spikes erupt from the ground.

Rush, Sulphur and Pathfinder all manage to get away from the spikes while one tears through Iceforge’s lower right leg. She cries out in pain even as Guardian feels a sudden surge of pain in her abdomen.

She looks down to see a large spike made from pavement and earth piercing her abdomen, tearing through both her armour and her flesh.

That hurts.

I’m sorry Legacy. It has been an honour.

Huh?

Hor segg yoinn sor.

As she slumps to the ground, Guardian looks over at the others just in time to see Rush and Sulphur get here by one of Armageddon’s energy blast. Sulphur’s mangled corpse topples over while Rush is reduced to a blacked, burning skeleton by a direct hit.

Guardian hears somebody calling her name before she is consumed by Armageddon’s ugly, hot energy.

***

Purr arnn lin Ordic?

What?

Peace or battle Guardian?

Do I have choice?

Yes.

Then battle. Lin. I won’t abandon my friends or family.

Then I shall inform Jaylyn that you will return.

1.9 Harbinger Part 5

“Cor donn Hor!” cries Guardian as she stabs Armageddon in the left eye, letting out the first battlecry that comes to mind.

He will pay for that.

Do not lose your temper Legacy! Letting your emotions control you will get you killed as well.

I…I know that Ceta.

Armageddon didn’t stand a chance as he was just turning his head to face Guardian when she struck.

Armageddon lets out a painful roar as Guardian twists the blade lodged in his eye. Before he can recover and let out another blast of energy at her, Guardian yanks Gord’Ang out and blasts off from Armageddon with her KEPs at full power.

Will he heal from that? He’s been healing from the other wounds inflicted on him.

He won’t heal from such a severe wound until a few days and one from Gord’Ang will take months to fully recover from. In fact, any wound inflicted by Gord’Ang will take Armageddon several months to recover from.

So we’ve hurt him.

Yes we have.

Then let us hurt Armageddon some more.

As Guardian stabilises herself for another strike, but Atlas flies at Armageddon just as Alexandria did.

But Atlas is significantly more powerful than his fallen younger sister and slams into the Harbinger at high speeds. Armageddon goes stumbling backwards before regain his balance as he blasts Atlas away another burst of energy.

“Now!” cries a strong feminine voice and Guardian watches as about dozen flying parahumans attack Armageddon.

She spots Glowbug, Iris, Flamefly and Ebony amongst their number and are led by a stunning Aphrodite in tight fitting white spandex with a glowing white energy spear in one hand pointed at Armageddon.

Fools.

They’re going to get crushed.

Armageddon is ready for them and punches Atlas away before firing a large, wide burst of energy at the group. Most dodge, but the slowest members of the group at unable to get out in time.

The white woman, Iris, Glowbug and four others are all about to avoid Armageddon’s attack, but Ebony and three others don’t. Flamefly barely manages to dodge due being at the back of the group, but is still knocked out of the sky.

Ebony and one of those caught in the blast are battered, but stay in the air while the other two are sent tumbling to the ground, one of them a mangled mess.

As the white woman teleports above Armageddon and the others begin their attacks, Guardian also launches another attack against Armageddon.

The white woman stabs her energy stab down into Armageddon as she also unleashes several bolts of white energy on the monsters. Glowbug, Iris and one of the other fliers hang back and pelt Armageddon with energy attacks while the other white attempt to engage him up close.

As she flies in close, Guardian notices more parahumans on the ground engaging Armageddon alongside military tanks and heavy weapon teams.

Guardian slashes Armageddon with Gord’Ang across the arm, but the monster soon recovers. Moving quickly Armageddon blasts the closest heroes away with more energy bursts before grabs a hold of the white woman.

The white woman doesn’t get a change to react before Armageddon snaps her back with a flick of his waist and tosses her limp body aside.

“It just killed Lightbringer,” whispers one of the fliers close to Guardian, sounding terrified.

Guardian uses her KEPs to direct herself at Armageddon, but the Harbinger just already moved on to his next victims.

Iris tries to dodge, but Armageddon is quick enough that his punch catches her in the legs and finishes the job with a concentrated energy attack from his fist as it makes contact. He then turns on Glowbug and the other energy projecting flier and blasts them both out of the sky with another energy burst.

But while her fellow is sent tumbling to the ground, Glowbug steadies herself as her yellow energy glows brighter than Guardian has ever seen it before. She fires a shining beam at Armageddon, causing the monster to pause.

For a moment it looks like Glowbug has actually hurt the Harbinger, but Armageddon suddenly slams his fist into her, sending her flying into the ruins of a half-destroyed building.

Human backs don’t bend that way.

We can’t do anything to help her until Armageddon has been dealt with.

Nic...

As Ebony flies past him, Armageddon catches her with a backhand swipe, knocking her out of the sky as well.

But as his hand comes past Guardian, she strikes out with Gord’Ang. Armageddon roars out in pain as the Linx Sword slices through his little finger.

That will take him a good couple of years to grow back at the very least.

He needs to pay.

Don’t let revenge consume you.

I know! I’m not stupid.

Once again Armageddon focuses his full attention on Guardian, even as a score of missiles slam into him. He staggers back from the force even though he isn’t actually hurt, but the Harbinger doesn’t break eye contact from Guardian.

With a sudden burst of speed, Armageddon rushes Guardian, but the smaller and more agile warrior dodges out of the way and catches his side with a slash from Gord’Ang.

Armageddon suddenly spins around and smashes his fist into Guardian. She raises Gord’Ang in front of her and sent flying none the less. But Gord’Ang absorbs most of the damage, leaving Guardian unharmed other than a bit more damage to the outer plating of her armour.

She smashes into the pavement of the path below and gets to her feet just in time to see Armageddon bring his foot down on her. But an orange ray beam that Guardian recognises slams into the throat of Armageddon.

The massive monster staggers backwards, unbalanced before toppling over and landing on his back.

1.9 Harbinger Part 4

A large section of the city is already lost to Armageddon by the time Guardian arrives in the city’s skies.

The local police and criminal elements have been driven back in addition to most of the local parahumans having been felled in battle. In fact, the majority of the local parahumans in the city are those that have manifested their powers since Armageddon arrived.

All it takes for criminals and law enforcement to work together side by side is a monster attack.

I have seen it many times before. A greater foe often causes people to work with a lesser foe, especially one that is local.

What is Scott’s saying again?

Better the devil you know.

Yeah.

Military forces and parahumans from other cities have also shown up. Guardian notes that several people she knows are here, including Alexandria and most of the Chicagoan Junior Heroes in addition to Iris.

Now to get Armageddon’s attention.

Be careful. That might be easier than you expect.

As Guardian approaches Armageddon with Gord’Ang in hand, she quickly realises that Ceta is right. The moment Armageddon glimpses her, the monsters halts and turns his gaze fully on her.

“Ordic!” roars Armageddon in his deep, guttural voice, spit flying from its mouth.

You can just hear the rage in his voice.

Not surprising.

Armageddon unleashes a blast of fire red energy at Guardian. She rolls out of the way, but still takes a grazing hit, burning some of the black paint off of her armour.

A head on approach is not the best idea. If we are struck by Armageddon, we would be severely injured and potentially killed.

I figured that out already.

Guardian flies behind an intact office building as Armageddon roars again.

Ideas?

His primary weak points are sensory. Hindering his ability to sense you would be very useful. You won’t be able to take Armageddon in a straight up fight so agility and speed will be key. And while Gord’Ang can cut him, it will do little more than annoy Armageddon as his skin is extremely thick and tough while his unique biology allows him to survive pretty much anything.

Good advice.

Just remember that while he might look it, he isn’t slow even if he isn’t as fast as you.

I’ll keep that in mind.

You should also know that Armageddon has a couple of abilities not relating to his physique. You’ve seen his ability to unleash energy attacks, but I’m not sure if you know this yet, but

Armageddon’s fist comes smashing through the building, almost hitting Guardian with debris.

Guardian spins around and slashes the fist with Gord’Ang. Armageddon unleashes a concentrated blast of energy in Guardian’s direction, but she dodges to the side using her KEPs.

Guardian swipes, leaving another gash in Armageddon’s grey, leathery flesh. Neither wounds are deep, barely anything more than superficial.

But superficial is the best that anyone else has done and Guardian has already surpassed that in the opening moments of the battle.

The side of the office building reforms into spikes of glass and brick that then launch themselves at Guardian. She dodges and rolls out of the way using her KEPs, but still takes several glancing hits. None of the spikes do any real harm, just superficial damage to her armour just as Guardian is only doing superficial damage to Armageddon.

Armageddon smashes through the building. He roars at Guardian as what is left of the building comes down around him and swings a fist at the vigilante with his other hand.

As Ceta said, Armageddon moves much faster than he looks, but forewarned, Guardian fires her KEPs at full power to get out of Armageddon’s view.

As the monster turns to pursue Guardian, a pair of military fighter jets come at him, each firing two missiles at Armageddon. All four hit as the two jets pass overhead, but once the explosions clear, Armageddon has only suffered slight grazes to his skin.

Not even enough to draw blood.

Armageddon is one of the toughest monsters out there and is most certainly the physical toughest and hardest to hurt of the Harbingers.

Can we stop him?

We have Gord’Ang. There was a reason I insisted you retrieve it so early.

Then let us fight.

Guardian flies at Armageddon as he fires off a beam of raw, hot energy at the retreating fighters. While his attack is on target, both pilots are about to roll their jets out of the way.

Guardian lands on Armageddon and stabs Gord’Ang into the beast’s back.

Legacy! You’re too close!

What?

Guardian realises too late what Ceta means as a blast of energy is unleashed at her at point blank range. It sends her flying as it burns the front of her armour.

Leo is truly a genius.

Aye. The Gardium armour plates took the bulk of the blast and ensuring damage. The majority of your sensors and KEPs are still working even if most have suffered some minor damage.

As Guardian grabs Gord’Ang and flies back, Armageddon turns to face her. The monster moves quickly and Guardian barely gets clear of his massive swipe at her.

Oh no.

“Hey ugly!” yells Alexandria as she zooms at Armageddon.

Guardian also flies at Armageddon as Alexandria swings a fist at Armageddon. The Harbinger just laughs as Alexandria’s punch does nothing to harm him. Guardian only as a moment to see the stunned shock on her friend’s face before Armageddon retaliates.

The monster grabs the superhero by the legs and flings her in to the ground as Guardian readies Gord’Ang to strike. With a vicious smile on his face, Armageddon stamps on Alexandria to Guardian’s horror.

1.9 Harbinger Part 3

The screen shows live news footage of a snowy city as a large hulking humanoid monster with beastly features rampaging through the local buildings. It is roughly six storeys tall with its features constantly twisting and changing, but always remaining brutish, hideous, hairless and inhuman.

The local parahumans are trying to stop it as are the local police forces. But they are failing as clearly seen when Armageddon blasts a burst of energy that can only be described as hot, red and ugly at a SWAT team.

It tears though the van and kills almost half of the team with all, but one of the survivors sustaining serious injuries. Suddenly the road erupts beneath them as jagged pillars attack the remaining members of the SWAT team, piercing all of them. And if to top it all off, the half gone van explodes.

And the jagged pillars remain along with the burning wreckage, the mangled corpses and the broken road.

Who is Armageddon?

One of the Dozen Harbingers of the End Times.

The Dozen Harbingers of the End Times?

They used to be the Thirteen Heralds of the End Times before they met the Guardian. They are old enemies of the Guardian with a grudge. They are also some of our most dangerous foes. There can be no holding back against them.

I understand.

You will need Gord’Ang.

Gord’Ang?

A Linx Blade, the Guardian’s weapon.

Where it is it?

Trapped between dimensions after our battle with Oblivion. We can summon it, but at this stage it will hurt.

How much?

A lot. Just follow my lead

Legacy reaches out with her power, following Ceta’s directions. As a sense of discomfort grows, Legacy feels the sword Gord’Ang trapped in the middle of nowhere and grabs its hilt.

As she does so, Legacy feels the discomfort turning into the pain. As she holds onto Gord’Ang, the pain grows stronger as the sword materialises in her hand.

As the pain reaches burning and unbearable levels, Legacy topples over, but maintains her grip on Gord’Ang. She vaguely hears Joan cry out, but is unable to make out the words through the searing pain.

As Gord’Ang finishes materialising into her grip, Legacy feels something detach from the blade.

Legacy collapses on her side as Gord’Ang finishes materialising. The hot, burning pain throughout her entire body is still there, but it is fading. Slowly.

Was Gord’Ang worth that?

Yes. You now have one of the most dangerous weapons in the Multiverse.

Really?

Indeed. While Gord’Ang might lack the raw power and range of many other weapons, it is unmatched. It can cut through anything and deflect or block anything. It also contains unique and special properties that might be relevant in the future.

That sounds pretty cool and useful. I don’t have to worry about people with nigh invulnerability anymore then.

Only if you can get within reach of them.

Yeah.

With most of the pain gone, Legacy staggers to her feet. She stumbles for a moment before Joan holds her steady.

“Are you feeling better now Legacy?” asks Joan as she looks at Legacy with concern, “You seemed to be in a lot of pain and weren’t responding to me.”

“I’m fine,” replies Legacy as she looks down at the sword in her hand, “I was just retrieving Gord’Ang.”

Gord’Ang is an impressive looking sword or at least it is to Legacy. The hilt is six inches long with a round pommel and a good grip. The crossguard is curved downwards towards the hilt while the double edged blade is roughly twenty four inches long.

It lacks bright colour with a dull metallic hilt while the blade is a green tinted grey.

“Whoa,” says Joan as she notices Gord’Ang for the first time, “What is that?”

“Gord’Ang,” answers Legacy, “The Sword of the Guardian. My sword.”

“It looks pretty cool,” says Joan, “Any reason you just decided to get it?”

“Thank you,” replies Legacy inclining her head towards Joan as she accepts the compliment, “I need it to fight Armageddon.”

“Armageddon,” repeats Joan as she looks up at the screen displaying said monster, “That doesn’t sound good.”

“It is not,” answers Legacy, “Excuse me, but I must get my armour on and face Armageddon in battle.”

“Okay,” says Joan, “I’ll go and tell Leo.”

“Mother,” says Jaylyn, “Father has collapsed in the recreation room at roughly the same time as Legacy, but is recovering more slowly. I would recommend that you check on him.”

“Okay,” says Joan with some worry in her voice as she darts off, “Which way?”

As Jaylyn directs Joan, Legacy heads to her workshop. Every moment she spends here is another one that Armageddon is on the loose.

It is odd that Armageddon is the first to take his turn.

What do you mean?

Usually their leader, Ragnarok goes first. It is a matter of pride for him. But to let one of their brutes to go first is something new.

You speak of them as if they were a conventional team.

When it comes to their group, they are surprising conventional when it comes to strategy and organisation. Something that makes them all the more terrifying and dangerous.

I suppose that is true.

Legacy drops Gord’Ang on a table as she puts on her spare primary set of power armour. Once that is complete, she grasps Gord’Ang once again.

“Tirn dor lin,” says Guardian.

1.9 Harbinger Part 2

“Hey Legacy,” says Leo as he and Legacy watch Joan and Jaylyn play together, “Why haven’t you built a prosthetic arm for Mason yet?”

Yes, why haven’t I build an arm for Scott to replace the one he has lost?

I do not know. We’re talking about your actions, not mine.

We should built a replacement arm then.

“I don’t know,” replies Legacy, “I will have to get started on that later.”

“Yeah,” says Leo before indicating where Joan is sitting at the computer, “I’m glad those two are getting along. I was worried about how Joan would react, but she is fine with Jaylyn. In fact, she is enjoying having Jaylyn around.”

“They are getting along well,” agrees Legacy, “I thought you would have told Joan about her daughter before now.”

“I never really got a good chance to do so and as I said, I was worried about how Joan would take it,” says Leo as he scratches the back of his neck, “So what projects have you got planned?”

“I need to finish making the replacement armour,” replies Legacy, “Got most of it done already with the use of your infrastructure. I’m also working on making my energy projector batons more efficient. In addition to that, I’m attempting to make them more powerful while making them sustainable. At the moment, the overcharged ones burn out quickly even when not in use while usage just causes more damage to them. I believe that they will quite likely fail when used in battle at their current state. Beyond that I’m going to continue with my current field operations by eliminating crime within the Battle-Zone and expanding my sensor network. I have also added creating a replacement arm for Scott to my current projects with a high priority to it.”

“I’m generally doing the same stuff as you,” replies Leo, “I got a lot of stuff on the go with my capabilities, but I’ll tell you the main stuff. As always, I’m dotting down more ideas here and there as I get them to stop any power build ups in addition to working on a way to help Joan get better. Other than that, I’m working on improving my fusion reactors and energy transfer circuitry. With more power available to my larger inventions, I’ll have more options open to me.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you use fusion reactors to power your big projects and my ElecMag Extractors to power your small ones?” inquires Legacy.

“Yeah,” replies Leo, “The fusion reactors provide more power, but take up more space so I keep them limited to my bigger projects while the ElecMag technology is small and reliable source of self-sustaining power, ideal for small gadgets and devices.”

“Hmm,” says Legacy thoughtfully, “What is your mass to cell ratio for devices containing ElecMag extractors and cells?”

“Well,” says Leo before launching into an explanation.

Legacy and Leo discuss various technological stances and matters before they are interrupted by Joan as she approaches them.

“Excuse me,” says Joan as both Leo and Legacy turn to look at her as she approaches, “But I was wondering if you two would like to watch a movie?”

What is a movie? Does involve physical action or movement? Perhaps a form of dance or something similar?

“Movie?” replies Leo with a raised eyebrow, “Really?”

“It is a nice social activity,” Joan defends her suggestion.

“What is a movie?” inquires Legacy, causing both Leo and Joan to look at her.

“A different term for a film,” answers Leo.

“Did you really not know what a movie is?” asks Joan.

“No,” answers Legacy.

“Seriously?” continues Joan, “You haven’t seen any movies before?”

“No,” answers Legacy again.

“We definitely need to watch one,” says Joan in a suddenly serious voice before turning to Leo, “What do you think we should get Legacy to watch? I’m thinking Star Wars or Marvel.”

“I say Legacy should watch Star Wars first,” says Leo, “They’re classic and it is probably best that she watches the one with lower tech first.”

“Good idea,” agrees Joan, “So where do we set it up?”

“I’ll go and get things ready,” says Leo as he walks away, “You two get to know each other.”

“So Legacy,” says Joan as she turns her attention to Legacy, “What sort of things do you do?”

“I create stuff,” says Legacy, “I also fight evil, battle crime and try to help people. In addition to that  I also maintain my equipment and assist Leo and Jaylyn. Sometimes I chat and hang out with Alexandria and Glowbug. I am also attempting to spend time with Cain, Allison and you.”

“Are you now?” says Joan, “Then we ought to hang out more. Like play games together or watch movies. Maybe go out for drinks.”

“If we do hang out together, we should do so in private like we are now,” replies Legacy, “Otherwise it might draw unwanted attention.”

“I suppose it would,” says Joan with a slight sigh, “You know, I can’t wait to actually go into school tomorrow. But I wonder if people will pick on me with how I look or the fact I’m new.”

“You have Leo,” points out Legacy.

“I know, people might still pick on me,” pouts Joan, “It isn’t like I got any friends other than you and Leo.”

“I’m sure Leo and his friends will-,” starts Legacy only to stop as Jaylyn calls for her attention.

“Excuse me Mother, but I need to show Guardian something,” says the AI, “Please look up at the big screen.”

Doing as she says, Legacy looks up at the big screen on the wall, something Leo installed for purposes like this. As the screen comes to life and the image appears, Legacy feels a sudden recognition of what is displayed.

Armageddon.

1.9 Harbinger Part 1

“So you got a date with Glowbug,” says Leo over the Legacy’s communicator as she walks down one of the expanding base’s many corridors.

Right now, Legacy is on her way to meet him and Joan as they enter the base together. Leo is going to show Joan the base for the first time and Legacy wants to be there for it.

While she and Joan have had minimal contact with each other so far, Legacy really wants to become friends with Leo’s love.

Joan is a good person to be friends as I can share my secrets with her with and doing so would also make Leo happy.

“Yes,” answers Legacy, “She sought me out last night and asked me to be her girlfriend. I said yes as she was clearly attracted to me and I feel that she has enough potential for us to end up in a long term relationship. By dating, we will be able to see if we are suited for a long term relationship.”

But I don’t feel anything towards her.

Deltaen love is not born by appearance, but grown with time and nurtured by actions.

So you said before.

“I like your reasoning, but you might get some bad reputation for dating another girl,” says Leo, “Personally I don’t mind and neither does Jaylyn. I know that Allison won’t and I doubt Scott or Cain will care. But you know how people get about same sex relationships.”

“No, I don’t,” replies Legacy as she reaches the lift while it comes down with Leo and Joan in it, “But I don’t care what other people think anyway. Besides, people already dislike my vigilante activities so this shouldn’t be any different. I am waiting at the bottom of lift by the way.”

“Okay,” says Leo and he ends the call.

A moment later and the lift comes to a halt in front of Legacy. Within seconds the doors are open and Leo strides out with Joan right behind him.

By just looking at the girl, Legacy is instantly reminded that only Abigail’s power is keeping Joan out of a hospital bed.

Her hair is faded and dull while her skin is pale and pasty. Her mismatching eyes are shine, but at are same time lifeless. Her body is atrophied from lack of use.

We need to come up with a more permanent way to heal her.

Agreed.

“Greetings Leo, Joan,” says Legacy as Leo stands aside to let Joan past.

“Hello Guardian!” says Joan chirpily, “Pleasure to meet for real this time. Thank you for saving Alex and I from Darkness.”

“I just held him off long enough for Leo to defeat,” replies Legacy, “And I am pleased to finally meet you as well.”

“I can’t believe you actually took on the second most powerful parahuman in the world on and won,” says Joan to Leo.

“Not just won,” cuts in Legacy, “Leo beat Darkness within an inch of his life and only didn’t finish the job because he wanted Darkness alive to help enforce the Code that Leo had come up with.”

“Seriously?” asks Joan as her eyes widen, “Nobody told me that.”

“He tried to kill you,” answers Leo simply with a shrug of his shoulder, “I couldn’t let him get away or think he could get away with it.”

“Oh Leo!” exclaims Joan as she wraps herself around Leo, “You’re my knight in shining armour.”

“Try not to be too dramatic dear,” replies Leo softly as he hugs her back.

“So Joan, how are you and Jaylyn getting along?” inquires Legacy.

“Wait, who is Jaylyn?” asks Joan blankly as she pulls away from Leo, who looks horrified at Legacy’s words.

Why does he look like that?

Legacy gives Leo a questioning look and he looks away.

What is going on with him?

Ceta just seems amused.

“Leo,” says Joan in a tone that clearly indicates she wants answers as she looks up at her boyfriend, “Who is Jaylyn?”

“Jaylyn is an AI and Leo’s first invention,” answers Legacy, deciding to help Leo out, “She considers Leo to be her father and you to be her mother.”

“That is only because I am her creator and you’re my girlfriend,” adds Leo hastily, “I created her by accident due to a power overload when I first got my powers. I consider her my daughter and love her as such, but I still find it weird to have AI daughter I created at the age of fifteen.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell about her,” says Joan as she gives Leo a light punch in the arm, “I want to meet her.”

“You already have,” replies Leo sheepishly, “That software program that helps you out is actually Jaylyn. That isn’t all does mind you. She helps me run all of my operations and then some as well.”

“But I haven’t met her as a person yet,” protests Joan, “What is Jaylyn like?”

“She doesn’t have maturity or age like human,” says Leo, “While she helps me with most things, Jaylyn is still only two months old and is many ways still a young child. Basically she has the knowledge of an adult, but acts like little kid that she.”

“So let’s go,” says Joan excitedly, “I want to meet Jaylyn.”